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Daily Archives: February 16, 2009

Someone commented on a recent post indicating they felt that we as IEs don’t do enough to help others.

I completely agree!

But just who are “those people” who don’t do enough? It’s you and me.

Sure, there are a thousand very good reasons why you can’t get involved:
• I’m too busy with work.
• I have family commitments.
• I can’t make a difference.
• I don’t know how to get involved.
• There is nothing in it for me.

But I feel that is our responsibility to give back – even if no one is looking. Industrial Engineers have unique capabilities to contribute. There are many ways that we can each make a difference with even a small time commitment.

Here are just a few:

Community group support – The Pittsburgh IIE chapter solicits the community to discover needs and then solicits volunteers to help meet those needs. Some recent projects that I am familiar with are helping to improve the logistics of a Pittsburgh arts festival, and helping to improve operations and resources use for Habitat for Humanity. Many organizations have such opportunities if you take the effort to ask.

Education – Ask your local school if you can come in and talk to a class about what you do. Most teachers would love such involvement. You can give the kids some career ideas and some encouragement to study hard and take those “tough courses” needed for engineering. Want a bit more involvement? Contact your local Junior Achievement chapter.

Engineer’s Week – There are hundreds of organizations that sponsor events for Engineer’s Week (in February). Again, here in Pittsburgh a couple dozen societies are participating in exhibits and activities at a major science museum to help attract their attention and interest in engineering. These are typically staffed by volunteers like you.

Community Group Management – Join a steering council or board of directors for a community group. For the same reasons that Industrial Engineer’s are highly represented among corporate upper management, they have a lot to contribute to guiding community groups. United Way is one place to go to identify organizations in need.

There are lots more opportunities if you look. And I think you will find that participation brings unexpected rewards.